posted on July 3, 2001 08:31:48 AM
this will have an effect on those that are bargain hunting. I sell a lot of glass and you can't wrap glass cheaply and have it get there in one piece. Tell me, what the heck does the post office do with this extra money? more postal people? better and more efficient service? faster delivery time? longer hours of service? raises for their postal employees? I bet not. the government is a black hole and money flows in and no one know where it goes. well, I do know, but that is another subject for another time.
I work for the damn PO and it was a well kept SECRET.
I found out yesterday that they increased PRIORITY MAIL when I went to mail 8 priority packages and it cost me $50 BUCKS! It was my understanding that only 1st class would be changed.
Boy...did I ever give my Postmaster/boss a piece of my mind.
I also said "WHEN DO I GET A RAISE?"
He said you did.....BULL PUCKY...I did NOT!
I'm going to see if UPS can give me better rates.
Yes, I hate to do that as its much more work as you can only quote a shipping price per their zipcode.
*HEAVY SIGH*
Why are things getting so complicated.
postage, paypal, ebay fees, How are we suppose to do it and keep the buyers happy?
posted on July 3, 2001 08:52:04 AM
Boy did I spell priority great on that title.
packer,
That is why I posted, so hopefully fewer sellers would get surprised. I have a feeling it was a well kept secret, as even the great postal clerks where I go did not mention it yesterday. I think they don't realize it yet either because they make sure to tell me of all changes they know of.
I got a new rate sheet print out from the Pittney-Bowes site about 3 weeks ago. It has been on the USPS site for the last month. It was decided in May. I started quoting the new rate 2 weeks ago in my auctions.
Here is another rate increase you may not be aware of: Media Mail just add $.03 to all of the prices. I.E., $1.30-$1.33, $1.75-$1.78 and all the way up.
posted on July 3, 2001 09:17:15 AM
Okay, I dont want to pick on anyone in particular, but where were you on these boards when we were discussing this about 3 months ago?
I posted replies to multiple "Rates increasing" threads that I supplied the actual text from their "ratefolds" and links to their site listing that, again, like january, it wasn't "just" a "penny" increase again. I warned that the PO was appearing to "hide" the priority increases again and warned everyone out there.
Luckily this time it's only about 4% and not 15-25% like January. [However--let this serve as warning... NEXT January don't be surprised if they get the additional 20% increase in Priority rates they wanted...]
Basically, The first incremantal difference went from $1.20 per pound to $1.25 per pound on July 1st.. the other differences vary depending on weight and zone.
That means anything OVER 2 pounds, starting in the closest zones, costs 5 cents PER POUND MORE than it used to... 10 pounds to your neighbor will cost 40 cents more than before. (10-2 pounds = 8 pounds*incremental diff (of $.05) = 40 cents)
I'd look up the links to all of the rate changes (like money orders went up, and other stuff) but I'm too lazy this morning.
And yes... If you have a UPS daily pickup account, ANYTHING over 4 pounds will cost less via UPS now and get FREE insurance AND FREE tracking (real tracking--not that scam of DeliveryConfirm the PO has..thats scaned when it's delivered to the sorting room downtown NOT...I repeat NOT at your door)
If you don't have UPS daily pickup and can manage their customer counter and extra fees and weird open times, I think anything over 8 pounds will still be cheaper by UPS..and still get the extras that would cost at least $1.50 from the PO.
Side note: After shipping over 1600 items in the last 4 years on eBay I've never had a Priority or UPS package damaged (because I pack very well).. However after 100 purchases in the last 3 months, I've had MULTIPLE priority packages received munched beyond belief, and about 5 items broken (due to sellers that don't have a clue how to pack).. I've not had problems with receiving UPS other than a dented corner/edge/etc..
[ edited by mrlatenite on Jul 3, 2001 09:26 AM ]
posted on July 3, 2001 09:23:35 AM
Heres the thing that really teeked me off.
I've got a Pelouze postage scale. It cost me $50.00 to get the up-date postage rates. I just did that for that last increase...now I have to do it again.
That really makes me mad.
I live in a teny tiny town in the middle of iowa. We still use STAMPS and manual weighing on all packages. No computerized stuff for us. So I pre-weigh and price all my packages before taking. I do that anyway so I can give a postage rate in my auctions.
Now I can either pay $50.00 to up-date the scale or try my hand at math(YIKES I hate Math). I don't like the idea of having to recalculate everything.
posted on July 3, 2001 09:31:36 AM
I think more people should use UPS (or FedExGround or whatever) and send a message to the PO that we're PO'd. (I can't imagine what will happen if they raise the rates 20% in Jan again.. that will loose ALL my priority business at that point, and I'll stop buying from people that use it and have to charge for it)
I still use the PO on little stuff (non priority, or on up to 4-5 pound Priority), but anything over 4-5 pounds I send it via UPS exclusively.
The only thing I hate is being able to quote a UPS rate when listing. I then went with a "lower 48 states only" and chose the second to the highest zone rate and charge that as "fixed amount" to all. I havn't had any complaints and it's STILL less than even the closest zone Priority rate!
I've only had 1 package recently that cost more than my fixed rate... I made a bit of money on the others to cover it. (Plus it reduces 1 email each between the buyer and myself..asking/reasking for zip code and calculating/emailing "exact" amount)
2 things bother me about using UPS or Fed Ex. The first is I would have to go a lot further to drop those packages off than the post office. Post office is 9 miles and those places are in the next big town about 25 miles away.
I know you can schedule home pick up, but living in a rural area they both have a hard time finding me with deliveries, plus Fed Ex always has a different route person. I have found my packages left at the abandoned house down the road! Plus in my barn, behind the tool shed.....
And I think you have to guarentee a minimum for pick up?
The second thing that bothers me is their delivery. Many people are not home during the day, so they either leave it on the stoop for all to see or make the buyer call for a redelivery. I can see where this could cause a lot of aggrevation.
I have a pretty good relationship with my mail carrier, I leave a note in the box and he comes down my drive to the ranch and picks up the packages. 2-3 times a week I go to the PO for the international or insured ones.
Also, I am sorry I missed your prior posts on this subject, but it is impossible to reas all posts on all threads!
~Not barrelracer on ebay, don't pick on them!~
posted on July 3, 2001 09:47:30 AM
Federal Express Ground Account. I have shipped 400 packages through them since January, nothing broken, nothing lost. My rates are cheaper than Priority Mail. I have flat rate shipping listed in my auctions, the rate I charge is still much less than Priorty because it already includes tracking and insurance. I have an extra dollar per package built into the rate for new boxes, bubble wrap and packing peanuts and I am still cheaper than Priority. They charge me $7 per week for a pickup charge, that fee is negotiable. I have, at the most, one bidder a week who prefers Priority Mail. I do not have to mess with the different zones since I charge a flat rate.
posted on July 3, 2001 09:52:30 AM
My PO is a 1 block from me(I still have to drive as I can't carry 8-9-10 packages at a time). Its to convenient for me...
The UPS station is 6 miles down the hiway BUT I can't go till 4:00pm to mail.
Thats a real big inconvenience for me.
I don't want pick-up service to pay for as my mailings are sporatic.
Well one thing for sure the way we sell and WHAT we sell will definantly have to change.
The person looking for the one piece to complete their collection(no matter the value) will definantly change.
posted on July 3, 2001 10:44:20 AM
Some of the Priority Mail rates for heavier packages to Zone 6 went up over $3. Here's a chart that gives a comparison between UPS Ground and USPS Priority for packages up to 20 lbs. The price differences for heavier packages are starting to become very apparent:
posted on July 3, 2001 11:33:20 AM
I am doing some comparison rates between Priority, parcel post and UPS. Most of the time it seems parcel post seems to be the winner.
I've only shipped two things UPS - both "professionally" packaged by two different packaging companies, and both arrived broken. The last time it happened, UPS wanted an invoice from where *I* bought it - This particular singer sewing machine came from a yard sale - so no invoice. UPS would NOT accept my printed page of my eBay auction. Is this still true?
posted on July 3, 2001 01:14:52 PM
I went to the post office this afternoon at lunch. I told the post office guy about the rates going up. He said, what? He showed me the new rate chart he received and it said no increase next to priority. umm The rates for the 3.95 (I think that is up to 2 pounds) stayed the same, the 5.15 went up a nickel (for the area I was mailing). He was going to check on it. It was a well kept secret. greed, the root of all evil.
mrlatenite I thought it was just me. I've had two boxes smashed in the last month. They were well packed, but that didn't help at all.
[ edited by llama_lady on Jul 3, 2001 01:17 PM ]
posted on July 3, 2001 03:11:15 PM
No, they don't.
Barrelracer, that is exactly why we have daily UPS pick up, same situation. We get the same UPS guy (except for vacations, etc) every day. We see him everyday so what ever we say he does. It's $12 a month for a certian amount, then drops to $6 with more volume..I forget exactly but it's reasonable. We have had some breakage and a little trouble with claims. HOWEVER, note that your rates are slightly CHEAPER for home/business pick up than at the customer counter. (Customer counter is considered "high risk" and home/business is not.
Now a big drawback. We have a long (older) asphalt driveway and the constant abuse by the UPS truck over 2 years has really given it visible wear and deteroration.
UPS give you their software to print the barcodes and it's easy to use. They do supply the label pouches free.
T
BTW hcross, we have repeatedly called FedEx because we were considering using them and they will not send a representative or call us back. UPS initially sent one ASAP, got us signed up, and has never returned our calls since. NO ONE wants our money. (We spent over $27K on shipping last year.)
[ edited by jt on Jul 3, 2001 03:14 PM ]
posted on July 3, 2001 03:37:23 PM
jt,
I just applied online for the Ground Account and they overnighted me my account numbers and software. I cannot use the software, because it only works with laser printers. But, they did send me two rolls of bar codes with my account number on them. I just stick them on the box and that is it. I have a log book I am supposed to use, but I don't. I have seen my driver only one time in 7 months. I leave a piece of paper taped on the wall of the backporch and if we need anything we write each other notes.
I did get a suprise today, I got my weekly bill and there was $60 extra in charges for rural delivery, I called and the rep took them all off. There is a small surcharge for packages that go to zip codes that they consider rural. Sometimes I may not have any packages for the week, but they charge me the $6 weekly fee anyway, I just call and the rep takes that off also. They are all so friendly when you call in for pickup or anything else. Rates are negotiable and I intend to call in and get myself a decrease on my rate. Heather
posted on July 3, 2001 04:44:39 PM
Hi Everyone,
I have some input to offer and a couple of questions to ask... Here goes:
AntiqueParrot, if you are a business and you SOLD those items, you can send your own invoice to prove what it sold at. If you don't have professional type invoices, create something on the computer. Should solve the problem.
JT- I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. I'm loving UPS as compared to the Post Office!
Hcross - here's my question - I need your help! I get slammed with those stupid rural rates and it aggravates me to no end. I did call about them and was told they couldn't do anything. I'm very put off by the charges because, as you know, I quote based on the software and THEY should know who / where is rural, not me. How did you accomplish getting them taken off? Do you have a local rep you work with?
The other thing I wanted to tell Hcross is I was able to use the software by renting their little printer for $2/week. I was annoyed at first, BUT - it saves a LOT of writing, AND you don't need to replace ink cartridges for it! That was the boon for me - we all know how expensive our cartridges are and the way those bar codes print, I was sucking up the ink! I did make it work on my ink jet, but was horrified at the ink usage.
posted on July 3, 2001 05:46:24 PM
gepetta, thanks for the info on the little printer, I will ask about that, does it print the buyer's address also?
I called the number on my weekly statement this morning and I told the rep I had not ever seen these charges before, he said they had always been there, but went back until January and they were not on any invoice except this new one. He refunded all the rural charges, but not the residential. I charge flat rate based on the furthest zone from me plus $1 for packing materials. The new charges really put it to me. Since they had not charged me for them since I had my account he took them off. He gave me the number for my local rep and told me I could call her and try to negotiate my rates. He said that the residential and rural add ons were probably not something that could be changed, but that my regular rate could probably be lowered.
He also told me that they have a book that he could send me with zip codes that were considered rural. I told him I was not going to do that, that I had flat rate shipping. I just went in and raised my rates on the auctions. Still cheaper than Priority. Call 1-800-622-1147 this is for account services, not the regular number for pickup and questions. Complain about the rural/residential add ons then ask for the name and number for your rep. Good luck and let me know how it turns out. You can email me at [email protected] if you need anything else. Heather
posted on July 3, 2001 06:09:11 PM
After the last rate increase, we dumped the post office except for international. UPS gives free tracking (buyers love that) free $100 insurance (I love that), Discounts for daily pickup (we ship over the $50.00 worth every week, and max out our discount ), and killer software that keeps track of all your shipments. This rate increase just convinces me even more we made the right move.
Oh, we have a regular driver that is a swell guy. I keep bugging him for a UPS Race Hat
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 3, 2001 06:48:10 PM
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the info. I'll give UPS a call on Thursday and hopefully save some bucks! I didn't know you could do this, so I never tried and after USPS last rate hike, I was thrilled with UPS rates!
Anyway, about the label, it's great. You type in the buyer's data (yours is already there) and it prints a professional label out. They supply the rolls of labels (like 200 on a roll so you aren't changing often). It was a bit difficult for me to get everything set up as I needed a switch box to allow me to still keep my ink jet available for other printing. All the small printer prints on is the labels. But after much effort and more phone calls than you can imagine, including the first printer being defective and needing to go back... I'm so glad I pursued it and worked through the bugs. I was ready to toss it and UPS out the window, but 6 months later, I'm THRILLED with how much smoother things work.
Here is another benefit. Even after you purge your system of the addresses, (I choose to store my winner addresses on line till I need them ie when payment arrives) the system does an archival process that allows you to always be able to retrieve the data. Makes it very easy for insurance claims as well as questions later and if you need to know about tracking, all you do is click on the shipment and the software connects online and tells you right where the package is at. It's truly incredible. Anyway, back to the printer, it works like a charm and all data (buyer and seller) is on it with a nice bar code and room for 2 lines of "reference". I print out all my labels at once and then head for the stacks of boxes. Makes it so easy - I used to do it all manually - UGH! Oh the trials of experiential learning!
Thanks again for the info and please feel free to email me anytime if you like: [email protected].
posted on July 3, 2001 07:05:54 PM
The UPS pick-up sounds like a great idea. For some reason I had it in my head that it was too expensive to do that, but I am going to have to rethink on this.
Do you download the software, etc from their website, or do you have to call a phone number to talk to an "account rep"?
posted on July 3, 2001 07:35:38 PM
geppeta,
lol, I think we got our wires crossed somewhere along the line, I was talking about my Fedex Account, I guess my second post did not make that clear, I was replying to jt who was asking about FedEx. The same thing does apply though, I had UPS last year, you can call them and ask for discounts and they will do adjustments on the billing for you. Just don't call that FedEx number I gave you to get UPS charges taken off!
I was all excited because I thought that Fedex had the thermal printer, my bad. Sorry about all that. Heather
), and killer software that keeps track of all your shipments. This rate increase just convinces me even more we made the right move.
UPS RAH RAH RAH